Orthodontic Health Limited

We carried out this announced inspection on 27 June 2019 under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. We planned the inspection to check whether the registered provider was meeting the legal requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated regulations. The inspection was led by a CQC inspector who was supported by a specialist dental adviser.

To get to the heart of patients’ experiences of care and treatment, we always ask the following five questions:

• Is it safe?

• Is it effective?

• Is it caring?

• Is it responsive to people’s needs?

• Is it well-led?

These questions form the framework for the areas we look at during the inspection.

Our findings were:

Are services safe?

We found that this practice was providing safe care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services effective?

We found that this practice was providing effective care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services caring?

We found that this practice was providing caring services in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services responsive?

We found that this practice was providing responsive care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services well-led?

We found that this practice was providing well-led care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Background

Orthodontic Health Ltd is in the London borough of Croydon and provides private treatment to mainly children; however, they do treat adults.

There is level access for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. Car parking spaces are available at the practice for patients. Local transport services are also close to the practice.

The dental team includes two orthodontists, one dental nurse, one trainee dental nurse, a personal assistant (PA), a project manager, a clerical assistant and a receptionist. The practice has two treatment rooms.

The practice is owned by an individual who is the principal orthodontist there. They have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated regulations about how the practice is run.

On the day of inspection, we collected feedback from 46 patients through CQC comment cards filled in by patients and speaking with patients.

During the inspection we spoke with the principal orthodontist, the dental nurse, the PA and the receptionist. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.

The practice is open:

8.00am to 5.30pm Tuesdays & Thursdays;

2.00pm to 5.30pm Wednesdays;

8.00am to 5.00pm Fridays.

The practice is closed on Mondays and weekends.

Our key findings were:

• The practice appeared clean and well maintained.
• The provider had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance.
• Staff knew how to deal with emergencies. Appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were available.
• The practice had systems to help them manage risk to patients and staff.
• The provider had suitable safeguarding processes and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
• The provider had thorough staff recruitment procedures.
• The clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
• Staff treated patients with dignity and respect and took care to protect their privacy and personal information.
• Staff were providing preventive care and supporting patients to ensure better oral health.
• The appointment system took account of patients’ needs.
• The provider had effective leadership and culture of continuous improvement.
• Staff felt involved and supported and worked well as a team.
• The provider asked staff and patients for feedback about the services they provided.
• The provider dealt with complaints positively and efficiently.
• The provider had suitable information governance arrangements.

There were areas where the provider could make improvements. They should:

• Review the practice's protocols and procedures to ensure staff are up to date with their mandatory training and their continuing professional development.
• Review the practice's policy for the control and storage of substances hazardous to health identified by the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002, to ensure risk assessments are undertaken and the products are stored securely.
• Review the practice’s protocols to ensure audits of infection prevention and control are undertaken at regular intervals to improve the quality of the service.
• Review the practice’s sharps procedures to ensure the practice is in compliance with the Health and Safety (Sharp Instruments in Healthcare) Regulations 2013, including ensuring an appropriate risk assessment is in place.